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danjkelly2

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D

danjkelly2

34 Posts

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13498

October 6th, 2001 00:00

2 Very Different Questions

I have 2 distinctly different questions: First, what is the difference between Dell's "reset" button and the power button? I was always taught to use ctrl/alt/del to restart the computer when necessary. When I got my Dimension, the Dell literature specifically said not to use ctrl/alt/del, but to use the reset button instead...when I use the reset button, it always starts back up with a Scandisk, because it wasn't shut down properly - it seems like all the reset button does is the same thing as simply pushing and holding in the power button, which I know isn't good...

Secondly, can anyone reccomend a freeware firewall utility? I use Zonealarm, which is good, but it takes up so much of my resources...I'm at 92% on a fresh boot without it, but down to 86% with it enabled...I don't understand why it hogs so many resources...any ideas?

Thank you

Dimension 4100, Pentium III at 733MHz
128MB SDRAM at 133MHz
Windows 98 SE
Soundblaster Live! Sound Card
32MB NVIDIA TNT2 M64 AGP Graphics Card
Conexant V.90/56K Telephony Modem for Windows
NEC MultiSync A500 Monitor
10.2GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA Hard Drive
8x/4x/32x CD-RW Drive
Hewlett Packard LaserJet 5P Printer
Altec Lansing ACS-340 Speakers with Subwoofer
Logitech MouseMan Wheel (PS/2v)
Quietkey Keyboard
MSN Explorer, IE6, and Opera
Norton AntiVirus 2000
ZoneAlarm
StayAlive
AdAware
KaZaa
Windows Media Player
Winamp
Etc.
  • B

    bomberrr

    52 Posts

    419

    0

    Posted October 6th, 2001 01:00

    I agree with Joe on both counts. Zone Alarm gets great reviews, and I use zone alarm myself. My resources drop down to 63% after all the background stuff I've elected to keep running. Even before I had Zone Alarm, I would have been happy to have 86%. That really is quite high, since there are always things necessary to keep running in the background. And the reset button I'm not familiar with as I also have a Dimension 8100. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with using ctrl+alt+del.

  • D

    danjkelly2

    34 Posts

    419

    0

    Posted October 6th, 2001 01:00

    Thank you everyone!

    Dell Service Tag: 5FS940B
    Dimension 4100, Pentium III at 733MHz
    128MB SDRAM at 133MHz
    Windows 98 SE
    Soundblaster Live! Sound Card
    32MB NVIDIA TNT2 M64 AGP Graphics Card
    Conexant V.90/56K Telephony Modem for Windows
    NEC MultiSync A500 Monitor
    10.2GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA Hard Drive
    8x/4x/32x CD-RW Drive
    Hewlett Packard LaserJet 5P Printer
    Altec Lansing ACS-340 Speakers with Subwoofer
    Logitech MouseMan Wheel (PS/2v)
    Quietkey Keyboard
    MSN Explorer, IE6, and Opera
    Norton AntiVirus 2000
    ZoneAlarm
    StayAlive
    AdAware
    KaZaa
    Windows Media Player
    Winamp
    Etc.
  • E

    Erik1

    837 Posts

    419

    0

    Posted October 6th, 2001 01:00

    First, you shouldn't routinely use either ctrl-alt-delete or the reset button to restart your PC. These are both emergency measures. The proper way to shut down or reboot your PC is from the shutdown menu.

    If my PC hangs and stops responding, I shut it down using ctrl-alt delete. Actually, the only time I use the reset button is if I have been running in true DOS from a DOS floppy and need to boot into Windows. I will remove the DOS floppy and press the reset button.

    If my PC hangs while shutting down, which it only does if I bumble the shutdown process, I just hit the power switch.

    Second, as you likely know, ZoneAlarm is very highly rated. I use BlackICE but it is not freeware and is not as highly rated as ZoneAlarm. The reason I like BlackICE is because it makes all my ports steath, not just closed.

    I am looking forward to reading the opinions of others on these subjects.

  • J

    joecapp

    2 Intern

    •

    632 Posts

    419

    0

    Posted October 6th, 2001 01:00

    Zonealarm is one of the best firewalls around. I would not be concerned about the resources. You are doing fine.

    I dont' know about the 4100 but the reset button has disappeared on the 8100. It has an e-support button which is all but completely useless. I always use CAD to restart and have never had any problems.


    Joe

    Message Edited on 10/05/01 10:06PM by joecapp

    Message Edited on 10/05/01 10:07PM by joecapp
  • E

    Erik1

    837 Posts

    419

    0

    Posted October 6th, 2001 01:00

    Thanks for the clarification. Aparently everyone else asssumed that was what you meant...

    As near as I can figure, the reset button provides a timed power interuption.

  • D

    danjkelly2

    34 Posts

    419

    0

    Posted October 6th, 2001 01:00

    I actually meant to say that I use ctrl/alt/del in emergency situations, like lockups...normally, i'll use start-restart, start-shutdown, etc. I was really curious as to how the reset button physically works - is it wired to the power button? thanks again

    Dell Service Tag: 5FS940B
    Dimension 4100, Pentium III at 733MHz
    128MB SDRAM at 133MHz
    Windows 98 SE
    Soundblaster Live! Sound Card
    32MB NVIDIA TNT2 M64 AGP Graphics Card
    Conexant V.90/56K Telephony Modem for Windows
    NEC MultiSync A500 Monitor
    10.2GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA Hard Drive
    8x/4x/32x CD-RW Drive
    Hewlett Packard LaserJet 5P Printer
    Altec Lansing ACS-340 Speakers with Subwoofer
    Logitech MouseMan Wheel (PS/2v)
    Quietkey Keyboard
    MSN Explorer, IE6, and Opera
    Norton AntiVirus 2000
    ZoneAlarm
    StayAlive
    AdAware
    KaZaa
    Windows Media Player
    Winamp
    Etc.
  • E

    Erik1

    837 Posts

    419

    0

    Posted October 6th, 2001 01:00

    I may be reading too much into this but I thought I read everyone saying ctrl-alt-del is the proper way to routinely shut your PC down.

    Thanks for the heads up on ZoneAlarm. I must have tried an old version. My annual renewal fee is due shortly for BlackICE and I will definately be giving ZoneAlarm another look.

  • B

    bomberrr

    52 Posts

    419

    0

    Posted October 6th, 2001 01:00

    Good point. Of course ctrl alt del is only an emergency measure, I hadn't thought that danjkelly2 might not know the normal shutdown procedure. Zone alarm also runs in stealth mode.

  • D

    danjkelly2

    34 Posts

    419

    0

    Posted October 6th, 2001 02:00

    nt = No Text

    Dell Service Tag: 5FS940B Dimension 4100, Pentium III at 733MHz 128MB SDRAM at 133MHz Windows 98 SE Soundblaster Live! Sound Card 32MB NVIDIA TNT2 M64 AGP Graphics Card Conexant V.90/56K Telephony Modem for Windows NEC MultiSync A500 Monitor 10.2GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA Hard Drive 8x/4x/32x CD-RW Drive Hewlett Packard LaserJet 5P Printer Altec Lansing ACS-340 Speakers with Subwoofer Logitech MouseMan Wheel (PS/2v) Quietkey Keyboard MSN Explorer, IE6, and Opera Norton AntiVirus 2000 ZoneAlarm StayAlive AdAware KaZaa Windows Media Player Winamp Etc.
  • P

    patchsassy2010

    53 Posts

    80

    0

    Posted October 6th, 2001 03:00


    This from Dell documents:

    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
    Reset Button
    Press the reset button to reboot (restart) your computer without turning the power off and then on again. Before you press the reset button, close all files and programs to avoid losing any data.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    The reset button is just for a restart, for example, after installing a program.

    Mike in NJ

    Dimension XPS-Z (4100) PIII 933 (384MB SDRAM)
    20.4 GB 7200 Ultra ATA Hard Drive
    Windows ME IE6
    LG CD-RW CED-8080B 8/4/32
    Samsung DVD-ROM SD-612 12 MAX Variable
    32MB NVIDIA GeForce2 MX
    17" Dell M781s Monitor
    Creative Sound Blaster AudioPCI 64V
    Altec Lansing ACS-340 Speakers
    3COM EtherLink 10/100 PCI NIC
    RCA DCM235 Cable Modem

    Norton AV 2001
    DirectX 8.a
    Bios A09

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